Tears of Hope! 31 People Receive Natasha Joubert's Bursary Gifts!

Natasha Joubert and Stacy Govender; Shared by Natasha Joubert

A recent rollout of bursary gifts led by Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert is changing lives as young people who cannot afford higher education get the chance to change their lives!

South Africa (02 April 2024) — In a whirlwind of good news and tears of hope, 31 people across the country welcomed a fantastic chance to further their education thanks to bursary gifts facilitated by Miss South Africa, Natasha Joubert’s educational advocacy campaign!

The opportunity to give more young people in South Africa a chance to empower themselves through tertiary education was announced not long after Natasha won the Miss South Africa crown as a cause close to her heart. It would award chosen recipients (from a multitude of backgrounds) a year-long study opportunity or scholarships toward a full undergrad qualification done via e-learning—without the weight of financial strain that holds so many of our young people back.

Thanks to Miss SA’s personal experience in knowing how much a scholarship can change your life as well as the Miss South Africa Organisation who helped make the Study Buddy Fund possible at Natasha’s alma mater, Boston City Campuses across South Africa, 31 young people can now say they are closer to their educational dreams.

For one of the recipients from Steenberg, 29-year-old bookeper Shumeez Linnett, who now has the thrilling chance to expand her knowledge in the world of finance, being awarded the opportunity to study at Boston City Campus was a moment of immense gratitude.

Shumeez is now becoming the first woman in her family to get a tertiary education.

“I’m so grateful that you chose me…this bursary allows me to study further and helps me become a role model to people in my community,” she said speaking to Natasha.

A similar sentiment of gratitude was shared by 19-year-old Dineo Galane from Vosloorus, who met Natasha at the Boston City Alberton campus.

“University fees have become so expensive and I honestly don’t know how I would’ve paid my tuition fees if this opportunity hadn’t come along for me,” Dineo, who will study a higher certificate in marketing, shared.

Shaun Toka from Tshwane’s Bronkhorstspruit will now get to pursue his dreams of becoming a paralegal. Sharing the joy of the opportunity, he said:

“This scholarship means the world to me; it lets me pursue my dreams and positively impact my community.”

And for Durban’s Pinetown resident Stacy Govender who is also pursuing a Higher Certificate in Paralegal Practice, the opportunity is one to inspire her community too!

“It’s hard for me to express how much this opportunity means to me. There’s not much female empowerment in my community and, thanks to Natasha giving me a second chance, I hope to show young women it’s possible to change your life and achieve your goals. I was unemployed although I was kept busy as a housewife. Thanks to Natasha, I will be the first person in my family to receive a tertiary education. My late father would be extremely proud.”

The bursary gifts rolled out throughout the past week in what Natasha described as something “truly important”.

“Each person has a different story; every one of them inspiring…I’m grateful that I have given 31 young people a chance to achieve what they want to,” she said.